Seafood Results

Cockles
Variety
Cockle, Blood
Arca granosa
Method
Farmed
Bottom Culture
Location
Worldwide
Overall Rating
Market Names
Cockle
Summary
Effluent: Farmed cockles are not provided nutrient fertilization. Effluent may be released from the hatchery or nursery phases, but this is not considered to have any negative effects on the environment, and filter-feeding of cockles during grow-out is often cited as improving water quality and/or nutrient cycling in the vicinity near farms. In isolated cases, anti-predator netting or other plastics may be unintentionally released from the farm, but this is not typical, particularly in regions that dominate cockle production globally.
Habitat: Farmed cockle grow-out operations are primarily located in intertidal or shallow subtidal environments of estuaries, coastal lagoons and bays, all of which are generally considered high- value environments. However, the impact of farmed cockle operations on habitat is considered to be minimal, with the main concerns stemming from bio-deposition and harvest.
Feed: Cockle farming does not require external feed. Cockles obtain nutrients by filtering water, which also serves to improve water quality and/or nutrient cycling in the vicinity near farms.
Disease: Diseases in farmed cockles can occur at every stage of production, from the hatchery to grow- out. Farmed cockle grow-out systems are open to the natural environment and there is the possibility of disease exchange between wild and farmed animals. However, biosecurity measures have been put in place from the individual farm level to the intergovernmental and international levels, which reduce the risk of parasite and pathogen infection.
Learn more about harvest methods
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Worldwide Farmed Clams Seafood Watch ReportVariety
Cockle, New Zealand
Austrovenus stutchburyi
Method
Farmed
Off-Bottom Culture
Location
Worldwide
Overall Rating
Market Names
Clam, Cockle, Littleneck Clam, Tuaki, Tuangi, Venus
Summary
Effluent: Farmed cockles are not provided nutrient fertilization. Effluent may be released from the hatchery or nursery phases, but this is not considered to have any negative effects on the environment, and filter-feeding of cockles during grow-out is often cited as improving water quality and/or nutrient cycling in the vicinity near farms. In isolated cases, anti-predator netting or other plastics may be unintentionally released from the farm, but this is not typical, particularly in regions that dominate cockle production globally.
Habitat: Farmed cockle grow-out operations are primarily located in intertidal or shallow subtidal environments of estuaries, coastal lagoons and bays, all of which are generally considered high- value environments. However, the impact of farmed cockle operations on habitat is considered to be minimal, with the main concerns stemming from bio-deposition and harvest.
Feed: Cockle farming does not require external feed. Cockles obtain nutrients by filtering water, which also serves to improve water quality and/or nutrient cycling in the vicinity near farms.
Disease: Diseases in farmed cockles can occur at every stage of production, from the hatchery to grow- out. Farmed cockle grow-out systems are open to the natural environment and there is the possibility of disease exchange between wild and farmed animals. However, biosecurity measures have been put in place from the individual farm level to the intergovernmental and international levels, which reduce the risk of parasite and pathogen infection.
Learn more about harvest methods
View Report
Worldwide Farmed Clams Seafood Watch ReportVariety
Cockle, New Zealand
Austrovenus stutchburyi
Method
Farmed
Bottom Culture
Location
Worldwide
Overall Rating
Market Names
Clam, Cockle, Littleneck Clam, Tuaki, Tuangi, Venus
Summary
Effluent: Farmed cockles are not provided nutrient fertilization. Effluent may be released from the hatchery or nursery phases, but this is not considered to have any negative effects on the environment, and filter-feeding of cockles during grow-out is often cited as improving water quality and/or nutrient cycling in the vicinity near farms. In isolated cases, anti-predator netting or other plastics may be unintentionally released from the farm, but this is not typical, particularly in regions that dominate cockle production globally.
Habitat: Farmed cockle grow-out operations are primarily located in intertidal or shallow subtidal environments of estuaries, coastal lagoons and bays, all of which are generally considered high- value environments. However, the impact of farmed cockle operations on habitat is considered to be minimal, with the main concerns stemming from bio-deposition and harvest.
Feed: Cockle farming does not require external feed. Cockles obtain nutrients by filtering water, which also serves to improve water quality and/or nutrient cycling in the vicinity near farms.
Disease: Diseases in farmed cockles can occur at every stage of production, from the hatchery to grow- out. Farmed cockle grow-out systems are open to the natural environment and there is the possibility of disease exchange between wild and farmed animals. However, biosecurity measures have been put in place from the individual farm level to the intergovernmental and international levels, which reduce the risk of parasite and pathogen infection.
Learn more about harvest methods
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Worldwide Farmed Clams Seafood Watch ReportVariety
Cockles
Anadara spp., Arca granosa, Cerastoderma edule, Clinocardium nuttallii, Austrovenus stutchburyi
Method
Farmed
Bottom Culture
Location
Worldwide
Overall Rating
Market Names
Basket Cockle, Blood Cockle, Cockle, Common Cockle, New Zealand Cockle
Summary
Effluent: Farmed cockles are not provided nutrient fertilization. Effluent may be released from the hatchery or nursery phases, but this is not considered to have any negative effects on the environment, and filter-feeding of cockles during grow-out is often cited as improving water quality and/or nutrient cycling in the vicinity near farms. In isolated cases, anti-predator netting or other plastics may be unintentionally released from the farm, but this is not typical, particularly in regions that dominate cockle production globally.
Habitat: Farmed cockle grow-out operations are primarily located in intertidal or shallow subtidal environments of estuaries, coastal lagoons and bays, all of which are generally considered high- value environments. However, the impact of farmed cockle operations on habitat is considered to be minimal, with the main concerns stemming from bio-deposition and harvest.
Feed: Cockle farming does not require external feed. Cockles obtain nutrients by filtering water, which also serves to improve water quality and/or nutrient cycling in the vicinity near farms.
Disease: Diseases in farmed cockles can occur at every stage of production, from the hatchery to grow- out. Farmed cockle grow-out systems are open to the natural environment and there is the possibility of disease exchange between wild and farmed animals. However, biosecurity measures have been put in place from the individual farm level to the intergovernmental and international levels, which reduce the risk of parasite and pathogen infection.
Learn more about harvest methods
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Clams (Global)Variety
Cockle, Blood
Arca granosa
Method
Farmed
Off-Bottom Culture
Location
Worldwide
Overall Rating
Market Names
Cockle
Summary
Effluent: Farmed cockles are not provided nutrient fertilization. Effluent may be released from the hatchery or nursery phases, but this is not considered to have any negative effects on the environment, and filter-feeding of cockles during grow-out is often cited as improving water quality and/or nutrient cycling in the vicinity near farms. In isolated cases, anti-predator netting or other plastics may be unintentionally released from the farm, but this is not typical, particularly in regions that dominate cockle production globally.
Habitat: Farmed cockle grow-out operations are primarily located in intertidal or shallow subtidal environments of estuaries, coastal lagoons and bays, all of which are generally considered high- value environments. However, the impact of farmed cockle operations on habitat is considered to be minimal, with the main concerns stemming from bio-deposition and harvest.
Feed: Cockle farming does not require external feed. Cockles obtain nutrients by filtering water, which also serves to improve water quality and/or nutrient cycling in the vicinity near farms.
Disease: Diseases in farmed cockles can occur at every stage of production, from the hatchery to grow- out. Farmed cockle grow-out systems are open to the natural environment and there is the possibility of disease exchange between wild and farmed animals. However, biosecurity measures have been put in place from the individual farm level to the intergovernmental and international levels, which reduce the risk of parasite and pathogen infection.
Learn more about harvest methods
View Report
Worldwide Farmed Clams Seafood Watch ReportVariety
Cockles
Anadara spp., Arca granosa, Cerastoderma edule, Clinocardium nuttallii, Austrovenus stutchburyi
Method
Farmed
Off-Bottom Culture
Location
Worldwide
Overall Rating
Market Names
Basket Cockle, Blood Cockle, Cockle, Common Cockle, New Zealand Cockle
Summary
Effluent: Farmed cockles are not provided nutrient fertilization. Effluent may be released from the hatchery or nursery phases, but this is not considered to have any negative effects on the environment, and filter-feeding of cockles during grow-out is often cited as improving water quality and/or nutrient cycling in the vicinity near farms. In isolated cases, anti-predator netting or other plastics may be unintentionally released from the farm, but this is not typical, particularly in regions that dominate cockle production globally.
Habitat: Farmed cockle grow-out operations are primarily located in intertidal or shallow subtidal environments of estuaries, coastal lagoons and bays, all of which are generally considered high- value environments. However, the impact of farmed cockle operations on habitat is considered to be minimal, with the main concerns stemming from bio-deposition and harvest.
Feed: Cockle farming does not require external feed. Cockles obtain nutrients by filtering water, which also serves to improve water quality and/or nutrient cycling in the vicinity near farms.
Disease: Diseases in farmed cockles can occur at every stage of production, from the hatchery to grow- out. Farmed cockle grow-out systems are open to the natural environment and there is the possibility of disease exchange between wild and farmed animals. However, biosecurity measures have been put in place from the individual farm level to the intergovernmental and international levels, which reduce the risk of parasite and pathogen infection.
Learn more about harvest methods
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Clams (Global)Variety
Cockle, New Zealand
Austrovenus stutchburyi
Method
Wild
Hand Implements
Location
New Zealand - Southwest Pacific Ocean: Whangarei Harbour (COC 1)
Overall Rating
Market Names
Clam, Cockle, Littleneck Clam, Tuaki, Tuangi, Venus
Summary
Abundance: Stock currently considered healthy, but the Whangarei Harbour population has recently shown a decline for unknown reasons.
Bycatch: Extremely low, harvest method is highly selective and undersized cocklesare returned to the ocean alive.
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New Zealand Cockle Seafood Watch ReportVariety
Cockles, New Zealand
Austrovenus stutchburyi
Method
Wild
Dredges (Mechanized or Harvesting Machines)
Location
New Zealand - Southwest Pacific Ocean (Specifically: Tasman and Golden Bays (COC 7A))
Overall Rating
Market Names
Clam, Cockle, Littleneck Clam, Tuaki, Tuangi, Venus
Summary
Abundance: Stock healthy and overfishing is not occuring.
Bycatch: Considered low, and undersized cockles and other species that are caught are returned to the ocean often alive.
Habitat: Harvest within sandy seafloor habitat causes some negative habitat impacts but certain sites are closed the to mitigate them.
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Variety
Cockles, New Zealand
Austrovenus stutchburyi
Method
Wild
Hand Implements
Location
New Zealand - Southwest Pacific Ocean (Specifically: Otago Peninsula (COC 3))
Overall Rating
Market Names
Clam, Cockle, Littleneck Clam, Tuaki, Tuangi, Venus
Summary
Abundance: Stock healthy and overfishing is not occuring.
Bycatch: Extremely low, harvest method is highly selective and undersized cocklesare returned to the ocean alive.
Learn more about harvest methods
Variety
Cockles, New Zealand
Austrovenus stutchburyi
Method
Wild
Dredges (Hand)
Location
New Zealand - Southwest Pacific Ocean (Specifically: Otago Peninsula (COC 3))
Overall Rating
Market Names
Clam, Cockle, Littleneck Clam, Tuaki, Tuangi, Venus
Summary
Abundance: Stock healthy and overfishing is not occuring.
Bycatch: Considered low, and undersized cockles and other species that are caught are returned to the ocean often alive.
Habitat: Harvest within sandy seafloor habitat causes some negative habitat impacts but certain sites are closed the to mitigate them.
Learn more about harvest methods
Variety
Cockle, Basket
Clinocardium nuttallii
Method
Farmed
Off-Bottom Culture
Location
Worldwide
Overall Rating
Market Names
Clam, Cockle, Littleneck Clam, Tuaki, Tuangi, Venus
Summary
Effluent: Farmed cockles are not provided nutrient fertilization. Effluent may be released from the hatchery or nursery phases, but this is not considered to have any negative effects on the environment, and filter-feeding of cockles during grow-out is often cited as improving water quality and/or nutrient cycling in the vicinity near farms. In isolated cases, anti-predator netting or other plastics may be unintentionally released from the farm, but this is not typical, particularly in regions that dominate cockle production globally.
Habitat: Farmed cockle grow-out operations are primarily located in intertidal or shallow subtidal environments of estuaries, coastal lagoons and bays, all of which are generally considered high- value environments. However, the impact of farmed cockle operations on habitat is considered to be minimal, with the main concerns stemming from bio-deposition and harvest.
Feed: Cockle farming does not require external feed. Cockles obtain nutrients by filtering water, which also serves to improve water quality and/or nutrient cycling in the vicinity near farms.
Disease: Diseases in farmed cockles can occur at every stage of production, from the hatchery to grow- out. Farmed cockle grow-out systems are open to the natural environment and there is the possibility of disease exchange between wild and farmed animals. However, biosecurity measures have been put in place from the individual farm level to the intergovernmental and international levels, which reduce the risk of parasite and pathogen infection.
Learn more about harvest methods
View Report
Worldwide Farmed Clams Seafood Watch ReportVariety
Cockle, Common
Cerastoderma edule
Method
Farmed
Off-Bottom Culture
Location
Worldwide
Overall Rating
Market Names
Common Edible Cockle
Summary
Effluent: Farmed cockles are not provided nutrient fertilization. Effluent may be released from the hatchery or nursery phases, but this is not considered to have any negative effects on the environment, and filter-feeding of cockles during grow-out is often cited as improving water quality and/or nutrient cycling in the vicinity near farms. In isolated cases, anti-predator netting or other plastics may be unintentionally released from the farm, but this is not typical, particularly in regions that dominate cockle production globally.
Habitat: Farmed cockle grow-out operations are primarily located in intertidal or shallow subtidal environments of estuaries, coastal lagoons and bays, all of which are generally considered high- value environments. However, the impact of farmed cockle operations on habitat is considered to be minimal, with the main concerns stemming from bio-deposition and harvest.
Feed: Cockle farming does not require external feed. Cockles obtain nutrients by filtering water, which also serves to improve water quality and/or nutrient cycling in the vicinity near farms.
Disease: Diseases in farmed cockles can occur at every stage of production, from the hatchery to grow- out. Farmed cockle grow-out systems are open to the natural environment and there is the possibility of disease exchange between wild and farmed animals. However, biosecurity measures have been put in place from the individual farm level to the intergovernmental and international levels, which reduce the risk of parasite and pathogen infection.
Learn more about harvest methods
View Report
Worldwide Farmed Clams Seafood Watch ReportVariety
Cockle, Common
Cerastoderma edule
Method
Farmed
Bottom Culture
Location
Worldwide
Overall Rating
Market Names
Common Edible Cockle
Summary
Effluent: Farmed cockles are not provided nutrient fertilization. Effluent may be released from the hatchery or nursery phases, but this is not considered to have any negative effects on the environment, and filter-feeding of cockles during grow-out is often cited as improving water quality and/or nutrient cycling in the vicinity near farms. In isolated cases, anti-predator netting or other plastics may be unintentionally released from the farm, but this is not typical, particularly in regions that dominate cockle production globally.
Habitat: Farmed cockle grow-out operations are primarily located in intertidal or shallow subtidal environments of estuaries, coastal lagoons and bays, all of which are generally considered high- value environments. However, the impact of farmed cockle operations on habitat is considered to be minimal, with the main concerns stemming from bio-deposition and harvest.
Feed: Cockle farming does not require external feed. Cockles obtain nutrients by filtering water, which also serves to improve water quality and/or nutrient cycling in the vicinity near farms.
Disease: Diseases in farmed cockles can occur at every stage of production, from the hatchery to grow- out. Farmed cockle grow-out systems are open to the natural environment and there is the possibility of disease exchange between wild and farmed animals. However, biosecurity measures have been put in place from the individual farm level to the intergovernmental and international levels, which reduce the risk of parasite and pathogen infection.
Learn more about harvest methods
View Report
Worldwide Farmed Clams Seafood Watch ReportVariety
Cockle, Basket
Clinocardium nuttallii
Method
Farmed
Bottom Culture
Location
Worldwide
Overall Rating
Market Names
Clam, Cockle, Littleneck Clam, Tuaki, Tuangi, Venus
Summary
Effluent: Farmed cockles are not provided nutrient fertilization. Effluent may be released from the hatchery or nursery phases, but this is not considered to have any negative effects on the environment, and filter-feeding of cockles during grow-out is often cited as improving water quality and/or nutrient cycling in the vicinity near farms. In isolated cases, anti-predator netting or other plastics may be unintentionally released from the farm, but this is not typical, particularly in regions that dominate cockle production globally.
Habitat: Farmed cockle grow-out operations are primarily located in intertidal or shallow subtidal environments of estuaries, coastal lagoons and bays, all of which are generally considered high- value environments. However, the impact of farmed cockle operations on habitat is considered to be minimal, with the main concerns stemming from bio-deposition and harvest.
Feed: Cockle farming does not require external feed. Cockles obtain nutrients by filtering water, which also serves to improve water quality and/or nutrient cycling in the vicinity near farms.
Disease: Diseases in farmed cockles can occur at every stage of production, from the hatchery to grow- out. Farmed cockle grow-out systems are open to the natural environment and there is the possibility of disease exchange between wild and farmed animals. However, biosecurity measures have been put in place from the individual farm level to the intergovernmental and international levels, which reduce the risk of parasite and pathogen infection.
Learn more about harvest methods
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Worldwide Farmed Clams Seafood Watch ReportVariety
Cockle, Common
Cerastoderma edule
Method
Wild
Dredges (Vessel Towed)
Location
FAO Area 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
Eco-Certification

DFPO Limfjord Mussel and Cockle
Market Names
Common Edible Cockle
Summary
Rationale: Ocean Wise recommends some, but not all Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fisheries. Click to learn more about how the MSC certification was benchmarked to Ocean Wise. This fishery meets conservation standards to become OWS recommended.
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Variety
Cockles, Goolwa
Donax deltoides
Method
Wild
Miscellaneous Gear
Location
FAO Area 57 (Indian Ocean, Eastern)
Eco-Certification

South Australia Lakes and Coorong Pipi
Market Names
Australia cockle, Coorong cockle, Pipi
Summary
Rationale: Ocean Wise recommends some, but not all Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fisheries. Click to learn more about how the MSC certification was benchmarked to Ocean Wise. This fishery meets conservation standards to become OWS recommended.
Learn more about harvest methods
- Miscellaneous Gear
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Variety
Cockle, Common
Cerastoderma edule
Method
Wild
Miscellaneous Gear
Location
FAO Area 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
Eco-Certification

Dee Estuary Cockle
Market Names
Common Edible Cockle
Summary
Rationale: Ocean Wise recommends some, but not all Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fisheries. Click to learn more about how the MSC certification was benchmarked to Ocean Wise. This fishery meets conservation standards to become OWS recommended.
Learn more about harvest methods
- Miscellaneous Gear
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Variety
Cockle, Common
Cerastoderma edule
Method
Wild
Hand Implements
Location
FAO Area 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
Eco-Certification

OHV Dutch Waddenzee and Oosterschelde Hand Raked cockle
Market Names
Common Edible Cockle
Summary
Rationale: Ocean Wise recommends some, but not all Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fisheries. Click to learn more about how the MSC certification was bench-marked to Ocean Wise. This fishery meets conservation standards to become OWS recommended.
Learn more about harvest methods
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Variety
Cockle, Common
Cerastoderma edule
Method
Wild
Dredges (Mechanized or Harvesting Machines)
Location
FAO Area 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
Eco-Certification

Thames cockle dredge
Market Names
Common Edible Cockle
Summary
Rationale: Ocean Wise recommends some, but not all Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fisheries. Click to learn more about how the MSC certification was bench-marked to Ocean Wise. This fishery meets conservation standards to become OWS recommended.
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Variety
Cockle, Common
Cerastoderma edule
Method
Wild
Traps
Location
FAO Area 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
Eco-Certification

Burry Inlet Cockles
Market Names
Common Edible Cockle
Summary
Rationale: Ocean Wise recommends some, but not all Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fisheries. Click to learn more about how the MSC certification was benchmarked to Ocean Wise. This fishery meets conservation standards to become OWS recommended.
Learn more about harvest methods
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Variety
Cockle, Common
Cerastoderma edule
Method
Wild
Hand Implements
Location
FAO Area 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
Eco-Certification

OHV Dutch Waddenzee and Oosterschelde Hand Raked cockle
Market Names
Common Edible Cockle
Summary
Rationale: Ocean Wise recommends some, but not all Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fisheries. Click to learn more about how the MSC certification was bench-marked to Ocean Wise. This fishery meets conservation standards to become OWS recommended.
Learn more about harvest methods
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Variety
Cockle, Common
Cerastoderma edule
Method
Wild
Dredges (Vessel Towed)
Location
FAO Area 27 (Atlantic, Northeast)
Eco-Certification

The Poole Harbour Clam & Cockle Fishery
Market Names
Common Edible Cockle
Summary
Rationale: Ocean Wise recommends some, but not all Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fisheries. Click to learn more about how the MSC certification was bench-marked to Ocean Wise. This fishery meets conservation standards to become OWS recommended.